Cycle a public bike and win your own bike on Thursday

BY DECLAN VARLEY Galway Advertiser, Tue, Sep 20, 2016

As part of the celebrations across European cities for “In Town Without My Car” (or “Car Free” ) Day on Thursday, September 22 2016, Galway City Council will set up dedicated traffic-free space and a cycle hub in the city centre, and will run a City Cycle at 1.30pm.

The events will form part of a national promotion of Cycling on the day, with Coca-Cola Zero, the National Transport Authority and the four city councils of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway coming together to celebrate the many thousands of persons who choose to cycle in our cities, especially for commuting to work or education. The events will also mark the announcement by Galway City Council, the National Transport Authority and Coke Zero Bikes of the expansion of the Galway Bike Scheme.

The Galway Cycle Hub will be located at Eyre Square, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, will include:

— A membership promotion by An Rothar Nua for the Galway City Bike Scheme (Coke Zero Bikes ). There will be an opportunity at the Cycle Hub to join as a new annual member free-of-charge. Anyone who uses a Coke-Zero Bike in Galway on 22nd September will be entered into a draw for which the prizes are two €500 bicycle vouchers from a bike shop in Galway.

— ‘Bike Doctor’ giving free consultation and basic repairs; and

— A promotion by a local bike shop, with a selection of bikes on display.

Galway City Cycle

The Galway City Cycle 2016 will depart Eyre Square at 1.30pm. Cyclists will travel along Williamsgate Street, Eglinton Street and over Salmon Weir Bridge to Newcastle and Salthill Promenade, making use of the traffic-free route in the city centre. Cyclists will return to Eyre Square via the Claddagh and Wolfe Tone Bridge. The Cycle will last approximately 30 minutes.

Expansion of Galway Bike Scheme

Galway City Council, the National Transport Authority and Coke Zero Bikes will be announcing details of the forthcoming expansion of the Galway Bike Scheme as part of “In Town Without My Car” day. The Galway Bike Scheme will be expanded, with the construction of nine new stations expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2016. The expansion includes three stations across the NUIG campus, as well as the first station intended to service the waterfront area, at Nimmo’s Pier. Details of the expansion will be provided at the Galway Cycle Hub.

Coke Zero Bikes Promotion

Coca-Cola Zero will be rewarding and refreshing users of the Coca-Cola Zero-sponsored Galway bike scheme who leave the car behind on 22nd September. Cycle-In Cafés will ‘pop-up’ at Claddagh Basin, Mainguard Street, Eyre Square South and Galway Cathedral bike stations, where scheme users can pull in to enjoy some complimentary pastries, sandwiches and refreshments without ever leaving their bike. Coca-Cola Zero has also arranged for some surprise goodies which will be found in the baskets of the bikes on the day.